The best laptops (2022)

The best laptops

In total, they are 13 to have caught our attention. For the most impatient, here is our top 5 of the best computers available in France:

1. Huawei MateBook 14s (2021)
2. Apple MacBook Air (M1)
3. Huawei MateBook D 14
4. HP Envy 13 (2021)
5. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7

Do not hesitate to consult our buying guide, located under our selection, we give many tips on how to choose a laptop.

1

Huawei MateBook 14s (2021) - The best in all areas

• Most
  • Lots of power and ports
  • Excellent keyboard
  • 90Hz screen
  • Fixed webcam
• The lessers
  • Ordinary design
  • Webcam only 720p
  • Thunderbolt 4 limited to more expensive model

• Indicated price:

The MateBook 14s, an upgraded version of the (also excellent) MateBook 14, is another desirable all-rounder in the laptop market, especially as the webcam is back above the screen rather than hidden in the keyboard.

It is only 720p but supports Windows Hello login.

The 14s is also impressive component-wise up to an H-series i7 processor and 16GB of RAM.

Additionally, the 2,5K screen offers a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and there are plenty of ports.

It's just a shame that Thunderbolt 4 is limited to the top-end model and there are thinner and lighter rivals if portability is your priority.

2

Apple MacBook Air (M1) - The best MacBook

• Most
  • Powerful components
  • Long battery life
  • Applications iOS
• The lessers
  • Very limited ports
  • Limited performance

• Indicated price:

The MacBook Air may not look any different from its predecessor, but what matters in this new version is its hardware.

Offering a significant improvement over Intel's 10nm chip in the previous Air line, the in-house 1nm-etched M5 chip is blazingly fast for light video editing and lag-free gaming.

The Air takes flight and is more boosted than many Intel-based Windows computers, and it's also excellent value for money compared to its entry-level version. Its autonomy has also increased, and Apple has nicely refreshed the screen, keyboard and touchpad.

On the other hand, this Air (M1) does not have a fan so that it is less noisy, therefore it will reduce its performance so as not to overheat. Those who want to edit videos for hours on end might be better off with the fan-equipped MacBook Pro M1, even though it doesn't add any extra ports.

3

Huawei MateBook D 14 - The best mid-range

• Most
  • Good value for money
  • Impressive components
  • Quick charging
• The lessers
  • Awkward webcam
  • Single USB-C
  • Limited brightness

• Indicated price:

Huawei has done a great job of making the MateBook D 14 feel like a high-end PC.

Although not touted as a gaming laptop, the Radeon Vega 8's graphics are good enough for casual games like Fortnite and Rocket League. Battery life is 10 hours, and 65W fast charging can recharge the MateBook to 43% in just half an hour.

It's light, portable and powerful, it's a great mid-range PC.

4

HP Envy 13 (2021) - Best with Core i5

• Most
  • Big screen
  • Solid speed and battery
  • stylish design
  • Quiet keyboard
• The lessers
  • Pass from HDMI or Thunderbolt
  • Expensive i7 model
  • Disappointing trackpad

• Indicated price:

The HP Envy 13 has a decent design, a great display, and solid everyday computing power thanks to its Core i5. It also has a robust keyboard and good battery life. In many ways, it's an impressive everyday ultraportable.

It's priced affordably, unless you look to the i7 model, and you might not appreciate the lack of HDMI and Thunderbolt either. You will find models with the best touchpad elsewhere.

5

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 - Best for streaming

• Most
  • Versatile design
  • Solid technical characteristics
  • Excellent connectivity
• The lessers
  • No fingerprint reader

• Indicated price:

The Yoga Slim 7 may lack a fingerprint reader and an Ethernet port, but it has other strengths like its lightness, although it doesn't have a 360-degree hinge.

It is available in a version with Intel or AMD processor, its screen is satisfactory, its battery solid. it is also equipped with Dolby Atmos speakers, Wi-Fi 6 and much more. Overall, it's a very good computer.

6

Acer Swift 5 (SF514-55T) - The most portable

• Most
  • Extremely light
  • All-round performance
  • Thunderbolt 4
• The lessers
  • Mediocre speakers
  • Noisy fans at times

• Indicated price:

Acer continues to impress with the Swift 5, an excellent all-around laptop.

It's not quite as affordable as the last version, but it's incredibly compact and lightweight, while still being premium and offering a good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4.

It doesn't have the best keyboard or speakers, but its screen has been improved and the performance is solid, finally the battery life is very impressive.

7

Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 - The best hybrid

• Most
  • Solid performance
  • S-Pen support
  • Excellent autonomy
  • 5G optional
• The lessers
  • Expensive
  • No dedicated GPU
  • Screen lacks brightness

• Indicated price:

Samsung has continued to produce excellent 2-in-1 convertible laptops since its return to the laptop market and the Book Pro 360 is our new favorite, although the Galaxy Book Flex 2 remains a great alternative.

The screen could be a bit brighter and there's no dedicated graphics card here, but the excellent design and stylus support make the Book Pro 360 a versatile machine that will cope with a wide range of regular tasks. and creative.

Performance remains solid, battery life is terrific, and you can even opt for 5G mobile data if you need it.

8

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 - At the best build quality

• Most
  • Excellent display
  • Solid performance
  • Excellent autonomy
• The lessers
  • Noisy fans
  • Limited ports
  • Too high price of high-end models

• Indicated price:

Although the design needs a refresh, the Surface Laptop 4 is an excellent all-around laptop that will suit many users.

Fans can be a bit noisy, but performance is beefy with either AMD or Intel chips, and battery life is good too. Its high-end screen and pleasant keyboard make the experience comfortable.

However, the high-end models are too expensive, and at these prices we would like to see an OLED screen and LTE connectivity for example.

9

Dell XPS 13 - The best keyboard

• Most
  • Premium design
  • Good overall performance
  • Impeccable keyboard
• The lessers
  • Limited ports
  • Expensive
  • can heat up

• Indicated price:

The XPS 13 was once the undisputed leader in the ultrabook world, but the competition has intensified and Dell isn't doing enough to keep up.  

A gorgeous 16:10 display and the best keyboard you'll find are enough to make the XPS 13 worth a look for anyone considering buying a Windows ultrabook, but there are a few things we regret: its bad ports, its issues overheating and its high price.

These flaws of this year's XPS 13 prevent it from being the best.

10

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2021) - The Classiest

• Most
  • 11th generation Intel chips
  • stylish design
  • Excellent touchpad
• The lessers
  • Battery life below average
  • No optional discrete GPU

• Indicated price:

The design is a bit tired after four years, especially the placement of the webcam as video calls are more important than ever, but the X Pro still looks as good as ever and its build quality is top-notch.

Autonomy has been improved but remains below the competition, and there is no longer an option for a dedicated graphics card, which is a shame. It's not as pro as it used to be but still a great choice in many other ways.

The latest Intel chips are fast, the 3:2 screen is decent, and the X Pro is among the best for keyboard and touchpad.

11

Asus ZenBook Duo - The best for multitasking

• Most
  • Dual screen
  • All-round performance
  • Light
• The lessers
  • Narrow keyboard
  • Trackpad minuscule
  • Expensive

• Indicated price:

The innovative ZenBook Duo revolves, literally, around its second screen and presents an interesting configuration if you like the idea of ​​having two screens, without having to connect one.

Once you get used to it, multitasking is impressive in some situations and performance is good for a wide range of tasks.

It's also surprisingly light and portable.

This second screen has drawbacks however, mainly the ripple effect on the keyboard and touchpad which are cramped and impractical.

12

Samsung Galaxy Book S - To the best battery life

• Most
  • Incredible autonomy
  • Incredibly fine
  • Touchscreen
• The lessers
  • CPU issues
  • Limited ports
  • Mediocre keyboard

• Indicated price:

The Galaxy Book S is a stylish, well-made and extremely compact laptop, combined with a very generous battery and you might have found your ideal travel companion.  

However, despite the good work done by Qualcomm to improve Windows on Snapdragon, it has performance and compatibility issues that will deter the most demanding users.

13

Asus ZenBook Flip S UX371 – The best convertible 4K PC

• Most
  • Stunning display
  • Hybrid design
  • High-end technical characteristics
• The lessers
  • Limited performance
  • No fingerprint reader
  • No headphone jack

• Indicated price:

There are cheaper 2-in-1 laptops out there, but the ZenBook Flip S is a true marvel if you can afford it.

This is one of the most stunning laptops around, with an incredibly slim profile and, as the name suggests, the ability to position it in either portrait or landscape mode.

You'll also get a stunning 4K OLED display, 1TB storage capacity, and the inclusion of Thunderbolt 4.

It is a pity that it does not have a headphone jack despite the presence of a standard HDMI.

Buying guide for the best laptops

Today, tablets have functions similar to laptops, but what about the keyboard or the size of the screen? If you want a laptop that also acts as a tablet, be sure, you will find what you are looking for.

Choosing a laptop is not an easy task but don't worry, Tech Advisor is here to guide you!

There are often several configurations of the "same" computer. Everything that is case, screen, keyboard or touch pad often remains similar but the amount of RAM, the storage capacity, the processor or the graphics card can change within the same range.

It is therefore important to check these technical characteristics of each computer before making a purchase.

A laptop yes, but at what price?

There is something for every budget. The most powerful computers on the market will necessarily display high prices, but it is possible to find good quality ones for less than 400 €. Note that these are intended for basic use such as surfing the internet, sending emails or editing documents.

If you have a small budget, do not hesitate to consult our selection of the best cheap laptops.

The mid-range, around €500, has improved in recent years. For this price, you can now find computers with SSD (an electronic disk allowing the storage of data on flash memory, a kind of hard disk but more solid).

From 800 € you can afford the Must of the market: a computer with an impressive processor, plenty of RAM, maximum storage capacity and all this coupled with a superb screen resolution.

Choose your screen size

The size of a laptop screen is another important criteria before checking out. Their height ranges from 11 to 17 inches.

If your laptop is the type to follow you everywhere you go, opt for a small screen! However, who says small says less "visibility" especially when you have to work on it.

Also keep in mind that a computer of this size will have less storage space and fewer features, such as external ports for example.

A 17 inch screen is a portable desktop computer, but not so portable... With a screen of this size, you will have a full keyboard with number pad, all connectivity devices (eg ports USB-A or Type C, HDMI or even Ethernet), or even a CD/DVD player.

The 13-inch screen is the ideal balance between portability and usability. If you want a touch screen, that goes without saying, it will cost you a little more. Also note that most laptops have a glossy screen although the majority of users prefer matte screens.

Indeed, on this type of screen, the brightness can be reduced up to 40% of its total capacity, which is more comfortable for prolonged use. While a computer with a glossy screen, used outdoors or in a very bright room, could cause discomfort due to its reflections.

How much storage space do you need?

As always, it all depends on your usage. If you opt for an SSD, your computer will certainly be faster but will not take advantage of as much space as a hard drive. Clouds can be an alternative, but you still need an internet connection.

If you need a large storage space for backing up your videos or simply your favorite albums or series, opt for a 1 to 2 TB hard drive.

Don't forget that a USB key can also remedy the lack of space.
RAM or random access memory is the space where your programs and files are located when you use them. In summary, the more RAM you have, the better!

4GB RAM should be a minimum, unless it's a Chromebook (usually limited to 2GB), 8-16GB is the sweet spot.

Which processor to choose?

If you use demanding software or video games, you will need a high performance processor.

If you're feeling ready to break the bank then you can aim for the latest generation Intel Core processor. Core i3, Celeron, Pentium, or AMD processors are sufficient to perform common tasks or surf the internet. The Core i5/i7 model is, in our opinion, a happy medium.

If you don't know which generation your processor belongs to, its first 4 digits will tell you. For example: "i7-7500U" is the seventh generation.
The letter placed at the end is also important. It indicates the series and power consumption of the processor.

The letters Y and U mean that the chip is of less power, therefore insufficient for video games for example, but its battery will last longer.

The letter H will designate high graphics performance and the letter Q: quad core (four cores in other words, this allows your computer to process several instructions at the same time).

Most laptops have Intel processors, but you can find some with AMD processors.

Ultrabook or an ultra-portable computer?

The technical criteria to take into account when choosing between an Ultrabook or an ultra-portable computer differ very little. In this dilemma, it is rather a question of priorities. You may favor lightness and longevity. Others will focus on power and the ability to handle heavy programs without breaking their backs!

If you're leaning towards a thin and light laptop, there will be tradeoffs. Its battery will be smaller so the computer will have less autonomy.

Only certain models, such as the MacBook Air, can claim to be ultra-portable and have very good battery life.  

Efficient hardware is also important because it allows the processor to consume less energy.

Warranty & After-Sales Service

We recommend that you read our comparison carefully before breaking the bank!

Before buying, we advise you to take a look at the warranty because it varies from one computer to another, but also from one reseller to another.

After-sales service should not be overlooked when purchasing any device. Check if this service is based in Spain and its online help forums are too.

This will give you an idea of ​​the reliability of the manufacturer's services.
Of course if you have a technical problem after six months of use, contact the retailer, who is responsible for it.

This is what often happens when you buy it on Amazon, Fnac or Darty, who will replace them or refund you.

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